Since February of 1962, the US
government has imposed a cruel and unjust
blockade on the people of Cuba in an effort
to overthrow its government, undermining
and violating the self-determination of
Cuban people. Cubans and peace-loving
people from across the world have joined
together for over 6 decades calling for an
end to this criminal policy that effects the
day to day lives of every Cuban.
For 29 consecutive times, the United
Nations General Assembly has voted
overwhelmingly to condemn the US
blockade on Cuba. This is important
because it demonstrates that the vast
majority of the world stands united with
Cuba against this criminal policy.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic swept
across the world in 2020, traditional
forms of protest have been challenging.
In late 2020 in Miami, Florida, Cuban
American activist Carlos Lazo from the
group Puentes de Amor (Bridges of Love),
organized the first ever Car Caravan
for Cuba against the US blockade. This
creative and dynamic action brought
together Cubans and Cuba solidarity
activists living in Miami to protest the US
Blockade on Cuba while maintaining a safe
distance from one another.
As the worldwide pandemic continued
into 2021, Friends of Cuba Against the US
Blockade-Vancouver introduced the idea to
Vancouver and on March 28, 2021 held its
first Car Caravan for Cuba Against the US
Blockade! The first Caravan was a success,
bringing together over 30 peace loving
people with the simple message of ending
the US blockade through the unique form
of protest that is the Car Caravan. This Car
Caravan has turned into a monthly action,
where activists join in vehicles covered
with Cuban flags and signs denouncing
the US blockade.
In Vancouver, the Car Caravan
has been supported by Friends of
Cuba Against the US Blockade -
Vancouver, Vancouver Communities in
Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC), Yemeni
Community Association of Canada,
Vancouver Communist Party of Canada
Marxist-Leninist, Supporters of the
Communist League in Vancouver,
Fire This Time Movement for Social
Justice - Vancouver, and Mobilization
Against War & Occupation (MAWO)
- Vancouver.
In the true spirit of Cuba, these Car
Caravans have become international.
The last Sunday of each month is a day of
action, where Cuba solidarity groups and
activists from around the world organize
Car Caravans and other actions to defend
Cuba against the cruel and illegal US
blockade. From Tunisia to Venezuela, and
Panama to Italy, and South Africa to the
Philippines – people from across the world
have united under the simple peaceful
demand of ending the US blockade on
Cuba.
Within Canada, many different cities
have participated in the Caravans as well,
including Victoria, Nanaimo, Edmonton,
Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa,
Montreal, and Halifax.
As the world has suffered and struggled
to deal with the impacts of the Covid-19
pandemic, instead of minimizing the
impacts of the blockade on Cuba in order to
help it face Covid-19 - the US government
has intensified the blockade. This has
made it difficult for Cuba to access many
healthcare items like masks and syringes
that are used to combat the virus.
Throughout this intensification of the
blockade, Cuba has actually been able to
not only confront the Covid-19 pandemic,
but it has produced and manufactured
three of the best vaccines in the world.
Considering the impacts of the blockade
and Cuba’s difficulty of accessing medical
equipment, it truly is remarkable what it
has been able to contribute to the world’s
fight against the Covid-19 virus.
As we enter our second year of Car
Caravans against the US Blockade on Cuba
it is of utmost importance that we continue
to defend Cuba against these unjust and
cruel measures that the US government
has imposed on the people of Cuba for over
60 years. Cuba like any country has a right
to exist in peace and be able to determine
its own future and sovereignty. As long
as the US blockade continues to exist,
we as peace loving people must continue
to defend Cuba’s fundamental right to
self-determination in calling for an end
to the immoral and illegal US blockade.
Viva Cuba!
Lift the Blockade on Cuba Now!
Abajo el bloqueo!
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